Saudia Cargo Expands Freighter Services to Boost Asia-Europe E-commerce Trade

Iruni Kalupahana Jadetimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Saudia Cargo

Saudia Cargo recently announced the introduction of new freighter services in an effort to increase its presence in the emerging e-commerce traffic between Europe and Asia. Twice a week, the new routes will operate between Liege Airport (LGG) in Belgium and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) in China. In the meantime, a weekly freighter service will depart from Liege to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

These new services are part of Saudia's strategic intent to build its global network and support trade development in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Saudia Cargo currently has a fleet of seven dedicated freighters, including Boeing 747 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

The airline emphasized that the China flights are launched in collaboration with major e-commerce platforms, merchants, and logistics players. The action is to meet expanding demand and support on time delivery of products.

Marwan Niazi, Saudia Cargo Senior Vice President of Sales, said:

These new strategic routes offer promising prospects to our customers and contribute to building a new global trade era among Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Adding the Liège and Zhengzhou routes will be a game changer for our operations."

He further noted that the expansion will allow Saudia Cargo to offer state of the art, sustainable logistics solutions and establish Saudi Arabia as an international logistics hub.

The new LGG to Dammam direct flight service started operations on 3 April, and Saudia Cargo flights from Liege per week were raised to 11. The airline underscored that this was a clear indication of its growing activity in Europe as well as its capacity to handle time. critical shipments.

In addition to the new route announcements, Saudia Cargo also announced it has obtained IATA's CEIV Fresh certification, which confirms the airline's compliance with international standards in temperature-sensitive perishable cargo handling. The certification is another milestone for boosting its skills in the perishables business.

The announcements come as Saudia Cargo's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the global logistics market and supporting its partners along major trade routes.

Klarna Halts IPO Plans Amid Tariff-Induced Market Turmoil

Akshit Tyagi, JadeTimes Staff

A. Tyagi is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Tariff- induced market turmoil in USA

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Image source: Thomas Fuller

IPO Pulled as Market Volatility Soars

Swedish fintech giant Klarna has decided to postpone its long-anticipated U.S. IPO, citing extreme market volatility stemming from renewed U.S.-China trade tensions. Originally set to begin a roadshow this week, Klarna’s executives opted to delay the offering after financial advisors warned of tepid investor appetite and unstable trading conditions.

Trump Tariffs Blamed for Investor Jitters

The sudden escalation of tariffs between the world’s two largest economies has sent shockwaves through the tech and fintech sectors, which rely heavily on stable global supply chains and cross-border capital flows. Klarna, which has seen explosive growth in its “buy now, pay later” services, is particularly vulnerable to swings in consumer spending—another area hit hard by rising inflation.

Market Conditions Unfavorable for Tech

According to Bloomberg, Klarna’s valuation has already been revised downward from $30 billion to around $22 billion amid bearish tech sentiment. Several other IPOs, including a planned listing by French AI startup NeuroNova, have also been shelved or delayed.

What’s Next for Klarna?

A company spokesperson confirmed that Klarna remains committed to going public but will “wait for a more stable environment.” In the meantime, the company plans to focus on its expansion into Latin America and Southeast Asia, regions less directly impacted by the U.S.-China trade conflict. Analysts believe Klarna’s cautious approach may set the tone for other unicorns reconsidering their IPO timelines in 2025.

China Courts Spain as Strategic Pivot Away from U.S. Deepens

Akshit Tyagi, JadeTimes Staff

A. Tyagi is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Strategic Pivot Away from USA

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Image Source: Andres Martinez Casares

Bilateral Talks Amid Global Isolation

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Beijing in a high-profile state visit aimed at deepening ties between the two countries. While Xi avoided direct reference to the escalating trade war with the United States, the visit underscored Beijing’s efforts to shift diplomatic and economic focus toward Europe and away from Washington.

Trade, Investment, and Cultural Cooperation

Talks between the two leaders included discussions on expanding trade in agriculture, energy, and digital technologies. China expressed interest in Spain’s renewable energy sector, while Sánchez emphasized boosting Spanish exports and tourist inflows from China. A cultural exchange program between top universities in both countries was also signed, signaling deeper people-to-people ties.

A Growing EU-China Axis?

This visit is part of a larger trend in China’s foreign policy. In recent months, Beijing has also courted Italy, France, and Germany, offering investment incentives and development partnerships under its “Belt and Road Initiative 2.0.” The absence of any overt anti-U.S. rhetoric suggests that China is positioning itself as a cooperative partner to Europe while subtly diminishing the economic weight of its American counterpart.

Spain Walks a Diplomatic Tightrope

Despite the warm welcome in Beijing, Spain remains a NATO member and a core part of the EU’s strategic alignment with the U.S. Analysts suggest Sánchez’s visit reflects an attempt to balance Madrid’s traditional Western alliances with emerging opportunities in the East. “It’s not about choosing sides,” Sánchez told reporters. “It’s about safeguarding Spanish interests in an uncertain world.”